Improvement in cutting apparatus for harvesters



` UNITED t STATES (PATIENT Qrrron.

MARTIN nALLnNRnomon ALBANY, NEW YORK, AssreNoR ro ALFRED BLAKER, or NEwTowN, rnNNsYLvANrA.

IMPROVEMNTAINCUTTING APPARATUS FOR HARVESTERS.

`Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 83,628, dated November 3, 1868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN HALLENBncK, of the city and county of Albany, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harvesters, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, which make p art of this specication, and in which- Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of so much of the cutting apparatus and divider of a harvester embracing my improvements as is necessary to illustrate the invention herein claimed, and Fig. 2 a view, in elevation, of the same as seen from the grain side. Fig. 3represents a vertical transverse section through the cutting apparatus at the line ma: of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 a similar section at the line y y of Fig. l, both these figures being on an enlarged scale. The invention herein claimed consists, iirst, in a novel method of combining ina harvester a divider pivoted to play verticallyV on the finger-beam with a spring to limit its upward movement, 'whereby the divider is made closely to conform to irregularities ofthe surface over which it passes; second, in a novel method of combining in a harvester a divider secured to the finger beam by a yielding connection, which allows it to play vertically, a spring to hold the divider in close contact with the ground, and a stop to limit the .vibration of the divider; third, in a novel method of combining Iguard fingers having projections, ledges, or studs on their shanks with brackets on the iinger-beam provided with similar studs,where by a raceway is formed, in which the cutter slides, with a space between the bottom of the cutter-bar and the top of the finger-beam, into which the heads of the rivets which secure the cutters to their bar may project, instead of rubbin g against the iingerbeam, as they would otherwise do. i

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a linger-beam, preferably of meta-l, tapering from its heel to its divider end and from rear to front, as shown in the drawings.-

Guard-fingers B, ofthe usual open slotted form, have ledges e on them to overlap the front edge of the finger-beam, by which means they are hueld securely against vertical strains,

fguards. Each bracket has two holes, through which bolts D pass. These bolts pass through the guards, the finger-beam, and the brackets. The head of the bolt ts a countersink in the under side of the guards, and the nut cl is above the bracket, where it is readily accessible. These parts can thus readily be removed or replaced.

The cutters E are riveted upon the bar F,

vwhich slides endwise in the usual way.

Farmers in replacing broken blades are apt to leave the rivets projecting below the cutter bar. As machines are usuallyn constructed these rivets would rub against the iin genbeam and produce undue friction. To obviate this difficulty, I form a small stud,'b, on each bracket.Y These projections, together with those e on the guards, form a raceway, on which the cutter-bar runs. This arrangement diminishes friction by presenting but few points of contact between the cutter-bar and its bearings, and also leaves `a space below the bar, into which the rivet heads may project without coming in contact with the finger-beam.

The nose G of thedivider is pivoted at g, so as to move freely vertically in a socket or shoe, g', secured to the finger-beam by a bolt and nut, or in some other well-known way. The ixed part G of the divider is also secured to or cast in one piece with this shoe.

A spring, H, secured to the "divider G',

presses upon the upper side of the nose G, and tends to keep it depressed. A pin, h, on the nose plays in a slot, h', on the front edge of the divider, and limits its range of movement.

As the divider advances over the iield the spring keeps the nose close to the ground.

When a stone or other obstacle is encountered, the spring yields, the nose rises and runs over the obstacle, lifting the outer end of the cutting apparatus correspondingly. As soon as the obstacle is passed the spring depresses the nose again. I am thus enabled to raise short or fallen stalks, which would otherwise be wasted.

What I olaiin as iny invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the cutting apparatus of a harvester, of a vertically-moving divider and a depressing spring, for the purpose set forth. l Y

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of avertieally-yielding divider, a depressing spring, and a stop to limit the vibration of the divider.

3. In a harvester cutting apparatus, the construction and arrangement, for joint operation, substantially as set forth,"of the finger-beam, the guard fingers and their ledges e, the brackets and their ledges b, with the cutter-bar and cutters, for the purposes speoiied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MARTIN HALLENBECK. Witnesses:

HENRY BALDWIN, Jr., WM. B. DAYTON. 

